AR = Everything

[ktm450]

I searched threads and could not find the information I am looking for correct me if this has been covered. I want suggestions on 1-AR setup for all my needs: Barrel length, Suppressor, Optic(s), bullet, and manufacturers. I understand that there is no universal answer for everyone, so included some background which outlines my intended purpose. I am also very familiar with the platform and own a few.

I have lots of guns/gear collected overtime everything from wheel guns to precision rifles. Locations and “needs” have changed, so has firearm/bullet technology and regulation. I am privileged to live, work, and own land in a big western state. I use guns daily and have employed them for: home defense, hunting, ranch work, etc…). I encounter animals from strange humans to ground squirrels to Grizzly’s. I always carry a handgun and keep a rifle close by (tractor, truck, ATV). Most of my shots are of opportunity for pests and livestock protection. I have occasionally used this gun during season for harvesting Bear, Deer, or Elk on the property, but it would not be used as a dedicated “hunting” rifle.

Shots range from home defense to 300 yards. Informed suggestions on:

• Caliber
• Barrel Length (SBR’s) included
• Suppressor
• Optic(s)
• Bullet
• Manufacturers (Brand)

Are all appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Chris in TN]

Caliber: That's easy. Go 6mm arc if you need a .24 to be legal. Otherwise go 5.56. You could also do .22arc if you want the extra velocity but it isn't really needed in your 0-300 yard scenario.

Barrel length: That's easy. 16", get a better barrel (there are tons to pick from)and get a lighter profile. Longer is awkward, shorter loses too much velocity.

Suppressor: Something shorter and lighter. Either a reflex can or, if on a budget, maybe an Ecco 5Ti.

Optic: Whoo. Can of worms. But for 0-300 I'd likely get a trijicon huron 3-9x40 with a standard duplex.

Bullet: 77tmk in .22 or (edit) 95tmk in 6mm.

Manufacture: It's an AR. The proper course is to build the thing yourself. Use whatever lower you can get easily, any quality LPK, choose your favorite stock (if I were building a rifle out of the blue today I'd buy any milspec carbine buffer tube, a magpul MOE PR butt, a standard carbine spring and H2 buffer for starters, though the best buffer is going to depend on caliber, barrel length, gas port size, and suppressor). Any m4-cut picatinny railed upper will be fine. I prefer side chargers for hunting but in your use case out west a standard charge handle might be fine. I just like side chargers for treestand use because they're quieter to chamber/check. You could do worse than to buy a bear creek side-charger then swap to a better barrel if you wanted a particular profile they didn't offer. I did exactly that on a BCA side charging upper and swapped to a BA barrel and have been very pleased with it. For a true working rifle I'd prefer to have the gas block taper-pinned in place, not set-screwed, but that means you will need to get a barrel from some place that offers taper-pin drilling as an option when you buy a barrel and gas block from them. Whatever you get be sure the bolt carrier gas key is properly staked, which generally isn't an issue nowadays.

ETA: And for suppressed use I'd very likely get an adjustable gas block so you can use the lowest setting to not get a face full of gas with every shot. Using only the gas you need also keeps the guts cleaner and ultimately makes the rifle more reliable. I have several overgassed ARs and they get FILTHY when shot a lot. Also, the cool thing about side chargers is they minimize gas coming through the charging handle channel.

YMMV, a lot. ARs are like legos. There's a thousand ways you could go here. What I outlined above is what I'd do if I was starting over.

 

[Kaleb]

Springfield SAINT Victor V2 5.56mm 11.5

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I put together something pretty similar to this with a geissele upper a year or two ago. It's been pretty handy for me but I don't have any experience with it on people or bears.

 

[North of 60]

I much prefer my suppressed 16" SFAR (.308 win) with a 1x6x24 Credo HX to my AR-15s.

 

[T_Widdy]

Shots range from home defense to 300 yards. Informed suggestions on:

• Caliber
• Barrel Length (SBR’s) included
• Suppressor
• Optic(s)
• Bullet
• Manufacturers (Brand)

Are all appreciated. Thanks.

-556
-14.5”
-Otter creek Ocm 5/ AEM 5 “heavier”
-NF Atacr 1-8 w/ NF mount
-77 TMK
-LMT Specwar upper. LMT 14.5 barrel with custom collar, pin and weld brake for ocm 5 suppressor
-Any good quality lower with proper tuned buffer system and a geissele ssae trigger

This setup as a complete package is extremely robust and reliable. The point of the 14.5 pin and weld is it’s legal to transport across state lines if needed and still is quite maneuverable with the longer suppressor.

 

[rabbithuntr]

Good post, this is something I’ve been pondering with myself. I have a lot less experience with this topic than many. But here’s my thoughts currently as they change as I learn more.

Caliber, 223 with 77 tmk or 73 eld as well as a few others. I currently use 73 elds.

Barrel length, 12.5 has been suggested as a great all around, I currently have a sionics 12.5 with reduced gas port as I am using a non flow through suppressor. With my load in at 4000’ where I live I can almost reach 400 yards and expect reliable expansion. If you’re only wanting to shoot out to 300 a 10.5 or 11.5 should be good since you’re out west.

Suppressor, I would like to try a flow through but they are expensive, using a ti 5.56 can and am happy with it , definitely don’t want to go without a suppressor.

Optics, what I have now is probably not omptimal, an lpvo would probably be better. The swfa scopes are reliable and I like dialing on farther shots and is what’s on my tikka. I also have offset irons for close up but don’t have much use with them yet.

Bullets, covered that already look at the 223 for deer elk and bear thread.

Manufacture, the company’s like lmt and geisselle are definitely good and I would like to try them, but I try find quality and value. I like my sioncs barrel and would buy it again. Using mostly BCM for the rest of the upper. Lower is mostly PSA with a geisselle trigger. I could do better but I’m okay with it for now. Also using a Malkoff light, I think they’re are quality light though little known.

Looking forward to seeing others respond and hopefully learn more.

Edit: I’m a slow typer, some good posts already.

 

[justinspicher]

I am a huge AR fan and used one for the past 30 years for just about everything. In 2025 I decided to just keeping using the AR platform for everything and see what happens. I have several of them, but my most used is my 16” Knights Armament.

It’s an older model with a 15” keymod rail, topped with a NF NX8 1-8x in a 1.5” NF unimount. I also have a KAC pic rail bubble level on it.

It has a PEQ15 and a surefire scout up front, with a dual pressure pad. I also have a Spartan keymod mount for my javelin bipod and sentinel tripod. The rail is covered in BCM keymod rail strips and I have a few wraps of black vet wrap around the pressure pad to help with cord control.

I use a Witt Machine 556 direct thread can. So far it’s been great, I’ve got somewhere around 10-11k rounds on this rifle.

I generally shoot 75-77gr OTM rounds, but have also used 77gr TMKs when hunting.

The accuracy is decent, 1.5-2moa out to 600yds.

 

[Formidilosus]

I searched threads and could not find the information I am looking for correct me if this has been covered. I want suggestions on 1-AR setup for all my needs: Barrel length, Suppressor, Optic(s), bullet, and manufacturers. I understand that there is no universal answer for everyone, so included some background which outlines my intended purpose. I am also very familiar with the platform and own a few.

I have lots of guns/gear collected overtime everything from wheel guns to precision rifles. Locations and “needs” have changed, so has firearm/bullet technology and regulation. I am privileged to live, work, and own land in a big western state. I use guns daily and have employed them for: home defense, hunting, ranch work, etc…). I encounter animals from strange humans to ground squirrels to Grizzly’s. I always carry a handgun and keep a rifle close by (tractor, truck, ATV). Most of my shots are of opportunity for pests and livestock protection. I have occasionally used this gun during season for harvesting Bear, Deer, or Elk on the property, but it would not be used as a dedicated “hunting” rifle.

Shots range from home defense to 300 yards. Informed suggestions on:

• Caliber
• Barrel Length (SBR’s) included
• Suppressor
• Optic(s)
• Bullet
• Manufacturers (Brand)

Are all appreciated. Thanks.

Taken as what you wrote, and giving no background:


Shots range from home defense to 300 yards. Informed suggestions on:

• 5.56mm
• 12.5”
• A can that isn’t available yet
• NF NX8 1-8x with FC-DMx reticle
• 77gr TMK
• LMT SPECWAR

Or

• 5.56mm
• 14.5”
• AEM5 or Unknown Suppressor MK12, or- Unknown Suppressors OG65 or OG22- these last two don’t need a brake and collar, and are only 4” past the muzzle
• NF NX8 1-8x with FC-DMx reticle
• 77gr TMK
• LMT SPECWAR

 

[ktm450]

Thank you all. This is extremely helpful. I am surprised many of you are running 16(ish)” barrels. The point about state-to-state travel is good. I am trying to figure out if the 14-16” barrel setup with a muzzle devise can is optimal or is it a compromise based on laws/red tape?

The whole world of AR’s has been complicated with the SPEC Ops “what ifs” and “must haves” with easy to get SBR’s. I understand most of us will never do CQB room clearing with these guns. A SBR would keep things under 20”, but come with real world compromises with ballistics and operation.

Do you ever feel that +20” setup is a hindrance for real world use?

 

[Chris in TN]

Do you ever feel that +20” setup is a hindrance for real world use?

A 16" with a 4" to 5.5" can on the end isn't unwieldy to me but context matters here. If you're used to toting a SBR it might seem long. If you're used to a bolt gun with a 24" barrel, you'll think it's wonderful.

I shot a deer with my kids' 16" 5.56 AR with a can the other day. It was close - about 25 yards - and it walked up in a hurry, in a spot where that rarely happens; I was expecting deer to be 50-125 yards away and all of a sudden I'm deciding to shoot a doe and bam, they went from being 75 yards to being 25 yards and I had to shoulder the rifle and shoot quickly - as I shouldered, I bleated to stop the one I wanted to shoot, so I was shooting at an alerted deer that was looking at me and about to bolt.

The 16" with a can, was not a hindrance in that scenario.

I have one rifle length (20" barrel) AR and with a can it is clumsy in a treestand. YMMV, a lot.

 

[Formidilosus]

Thank you all. This is extremely helpful. I am surprised many of you are running 16(ish)” barrels. The point about state-to-state travel is good. I am trying to figure out if the 14-16” barrel setup with a muzzle devise can is optimal or is it a compromise based on laws/red tape?

Long rifles suck for actual use. The only exception is the MK12 Mod0 with AEM5 can. That is 18” barreled, and if you want max shooting performance- that is the one.

The whole world of AR’s has been complicated with the SPEC Ops “what ifs” and “must haves” with easy to get SBR’s.

To be clear- isn’t “what ifs” and “must haves” what you just asked about?

I understand most of us will never do CQB room clearing with these guns. A SBR would keep things under 20”, but come with real world compromises with ballistics and operation.

Ehhh yes and no. There is no “compromise” with a 10.5” to 16” barrel and 77gr TMK’s at 300 yards.

Do you ever feel that +20” setup is a hindrance for real world use?

Yes. It’s awful. You are asking about 300 yards- I use 5.75” barreled AR’s for 300 yards.



Shorter is better- it is easier to maneuver, easier to store, easier to get out of a vehicle, easier to carry, etc. As long as a gun gets your bullet to the target with enough velocity for terminal effects, in most cases shorter is better. The only real exception to that is if you are after pure shooting performance (the aforementioned MK12).

The reason for the suggested SPECWAR 12.5” LMT:

1). LMT monolithic upper is nigh unbreakable, has functionally no rail flex, and allows quick change barrels.

2). 12.5” barrel allows for 400+ yard terminal range with multiple bullets. Is the shortest barrel that allows a mid-gas system- recoil, sight movement, and reduced gas.

3). Is short enough to do “self-defense” things.



The LMT SPECWAR 12.5” was specifically designed as a “one and done”, 0-600m carbine that is optimized for max shootability at that length. However with the advent of over the barrel suppressors being available, @T_Widdy suggestion of 14.5” and an OTB can achieves functionally the same thing with a bit more MV.

 

[ktm450]

I appreciate the feedback and it’s what I am looking for. I should have been more clear about my statement. The world of AR’s seems full of internet commandos who feign experience and/or knowledge. It also seems that the internet promotes scenarios and gun set ups based on video games or Navy Seal (wannabe) YouTube’s that do not have application for most users.

The real (practical) world use/advice in this thread is exactly what I wanted. In short, getting advice from like-minded users with actual experience is very helpful.

 

[Jimbee]

Taken as what you wrote, and giving no background:


Shots range from home defense to 300 yards. Informed suggestions on:

• 5.56mm
• 12.5”
• A can that isn’t available yet
• NF NX8 1-8x with FC-DMx reticle
• 77gr TMK
• LMT SPECWAR

Or

• 5.56mm
• 14.5”
• AEM5 or Unknown Suppressor MK12, or- Unknown Suppressors OG65 or OG22- these last two don’t need a brake and collar, and are only 4” past the muzzle
• NF NX8 1-8x with FC-DMx reticle
• 77gr TMK
• LMT SPECWAR

OG22 in the works!???

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Get a multi caliber lower so in the future you can swap uppers. Trust me, one is not enough.

 

[Speaks]

Long rifles suck for actual use. The only exception is the MK12 Mod0 with AEM5 can. That is 18” barreled, and if you want max shooting performance- that is the one.





To be clear- isn’t “what ifs” and “must haves” what you just asked about?





Ehhh yes and no. There is no “compromise” with a 10.5” to 16” barrel and 77gr TMK’s at 300 yards.





Yes. It’s awful. You are asking about 300 yards- I use 5.75” barreled AR’s for 300 yards.



Shorter is better- it is easier to maneuver, easier to store, easier to get out of a vehicle, easier to carry, etc. As long as a gun gets your bullet to the target with enough velocity for terminal effects, in most cases shorter is better. The only real exception to that is if you are after pure shooting performance (the aforementioned MK12).

The reason for the suggested SPECWAR 12.5” LMT:

1). LMT monolithic upper is nigh unbreakable, has functionally no rail flex, and allows quick change barrels.

2). 12.5” barrel allows for 400+ yard terminal range with multiple bullets. Is the shortest barrel that allows a mid-gas system- recoil, sight movement, and reduced gas.

3). Is short enough to do “self-defense” things.



The LMT SPECWAR 12.5” was specifically designed as a “one and done”, 0-600m carbine that is optimized for max shootability at that length. However with the advent of over the barrel suppressors being available, @T_Widdy suggestion of 14.5” and an OTB can achieves functionally the same thing with a bit more MV.

If I live in 1 state but do 95% of my shooting just over the river in another making SBR a giant pain what would you recommend for similar use case (though lets call it 400ish yards) all purpose truck gun but in a 16 inch barrel. Not much from LMT in that length.

 

[Formidilosus]

OG22 in the works!???

Yes. I have one that I need to meter. If it meters well, I believe that are going to do a limited run of them.

 

[Formidilosus]

If I live in 1 state but do 95% of my shooting just over the river in another making SBR a giant pain what would you recommend for similar use case (though lets call it 400ish yards) all purpose truck gun but in a 16 inch barrel. Not much from LMT in that length.

Why is that a giant pain? People travel all over with SBR’s all the time. Send a letter to the ATF once a year.

 

[jonpall]

Yes. I have one that I need to meter. If it meters well, I believe that are going to do a limited run of them.

Sounds awesome.
How beneficial do you think a flow through can of some sort would be for this scenario?

 

[RockAndSage]

I appreciate the feedback and it’s what I am looking for. I should have been more clear about my statement. The world of AR’s seems full of internet commandos who feign experience and/or knowledge. It also seems that the internet promotes scenarios and gun set ups based on video games or Navy Seal (wannabe) YouTube’s that do not have application for most users.

The real (practical) world use/advice in this thread is exactly what I wanted. In short, getting advice from like-minded users with actual experience is very helpful.

OP, you've been given some extremely good, experienced, sober advice in this thread. You're right to be concerned and annoyed at the "advice" and conventional wisdom of the Tactical Timmys of the gun forum world. And, none of this was any of that.

The only additional bit I can offer is why, in your context, an SBR with 77gr TMKs is no compromise, all up-side.

The 77gr TMK has been documented to be lethal on Elk out past 700-800yds, including by @Formidilosus in personal experience, in the .223 for big game thread here. So, it kills far, far more distant than I'm personally capable of reliably and consistently hitting at, especially in real-world field conditions. The general consensus of impact velocity on tipped match bullets doing their job properly is about 1800fps, but it seems the 77gr TMK will open up violently at a floor of around 1400fps as well. Meaning, a 12" SBR at 300 or 400 yards has plenty of impact velocity to kill big animals at those distances.

Best factory loadings of the 77gr TMK at the moment seem to be Black Hills and Bone Frog.

 

[RockAndSage]

@Wprinkle , this convo may be of interest.